Yaeyama-class minesweeper

JDS Yaeyama (MSO-301)
Class overview
Operators:	Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Planned:	6
Completed:	3
Cancelled:	3
Active:	1
Retired:	2
General characteristics
Displacement:	1,000 tons standard (Official) 1,250 tons full load (estimated)
Length:	67 m (220 ft)
Beam:	11.8 m (38.7 ft)
Draft:	3.1 m (10.2 ft)
Depth:	5.2 m (17 ft)
Propulsion:	Diesel, two Mitsubishi 6NMU-TA1 diesels 2,400 hp (1.76 MW), two shafts one 350 hp (257 kW) hydrojet bow thruster
Speed:	14 knots (26 km/h)
Complement:	60
Armament:	1 JM-61 Sea Vulcan Mine-hunting and sweeping equipment

The Yaeyama class is the largest class of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force minesweepers, designed for open-sea mine clearance operations. Three ships were built in the class, a further three ships were planned but were cancelled. The ships use wooden hulls to reduce their magnetic signature. Yaeyama class is one of the largest-sized wooden hull ships designed today (except old and replica ships).

Jane's Fighting Ships notes their similarity to the U.S. Avenger-class minesweepers.

All three vessels are named after World War II Japanese ships: Yaeyama after a minelayer, and Tsushima and Hachijo after kaibokans. Of their World War II namesakes, only Hachijo survived the war.

Ships in the class

External links

• Minesweeper Division 51 (Japanese, Official)

References

• Minesweeper Division 51 (see above)
• Mine warfare force JMSDF (Japanese, Official)
• Jane's Fighting Ships 2005–2006

Comparable ships

• Avenger class minesweepers

JDS Tsushima (MSO-302)